The new “dirtier, sleazier,” band have landed a dream support slot with heroes Nine Inch Nails for one of their first gigs.

A little daunting perhaps, but for Nathan, 32, who has been at the helm of the hugely successful Northern Irish/Scottish outfit for over 10 years, it’s been a long time coming.

”It’s strange being the frontman and writing all the lyrics. This is my first proper attempt at stepping into that. So there was excitement and nerves. (Little Matador) is different to Patrol, it’s still big on melody, that’s just the way I write.”

Clearly excited about the band, who have already recorded their debut album in his year sabbatical from Snow Patrol, he said: “I’m loving it. I never really thought it’s somewhere I wanted to be. I’ve been a guitar player for 20 years. I’m still playing guitar, it’s not just running around. It’s great, different, fun and I enjoy singing.”

The super-group, which allows Nathan to feed his hard rock music obsession, is made up of a number of musicians, on bass Gavin Fox (of Idlewild, TURN, Concerto for Constantine, Vega4), drums Paul ‘Binzer’ Brennan (Concerto for Constantine, who played drums for Mundy, The Frames, Gemma Hayes, BellX1 among many others), Troy Stewart (The Windsor Player, Tired Pony) and Dave Magee (LaFaro) both on guitar.

“The album is done, finished. Sam Bell produced it, he engineered on some of the Snow Patrol records. We recorded it in five weeks. We started recording it in January in London and I went out to LA and did some vocals and recorded it over a few months because everyone is in different bands and busy. Greg Calbi mastered it. We’re thrilled with it. We’re really proud of it.”

The Belfast star added: “I’m not sure when it’s coming out yet. Hopefully we’ll be out gigging towards the end of the year.”

But Nathan admits that being in one of the country’s most successful bands will help launch Little Matador (they have been signed to the same label and management as Snow Patrol) and it also helped them land the NIN Belsonic support.

“We’re being throw into the deep end and just see what happens. It’s completely insane. We’re just starting out but we’re trying to do it the proper way and not just off the back of Snow Patrol. Obviously people are going to find out and that’s fine. I’m not ashamed of that. To get that slot is great. It’s Belfast as well, my hometown. The rest of the tour when we finally get out later in the year it will be a lot smaller but it’s a great way to start off, come out and announce ourselves.”

It’s a busy time for the talented musician who will be reunited with his Snow Patrol bandmates for the Tennent’s Vital 2013 in Belfast on August 15.

“ It’ll be fun to get back. We all haven’t been in the same room since December. We’ve all seen each other seperately but it’ll be a lot of fun and again it’s in Belfast so I’m sure it won’t be a quiet night,” he joked.

“Gary is with Tired Pony, everyone has their own little projects going on. We decided to take a year out. We were touring up until December last year so we just thought everyone could do with a break.”

But Snow Patrol fans needn’t fear as the band will be back in the studio for a follow up to 2011’s Fallen Empires.

He added: “We will be making another record at some stage next year. I’ve no idea when.”